Steering means for vehicles



March 25, 1952 M. B. ROBINSON STEERING MEANS FOR VEHICLES 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1944 mm #N INVENTOR- M. B. ROBINSON 2,590,574

STEERING MEANS FOR VEHICLES March 25, 1952 Filed 001;. 5, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

March 25, 1952 M. s. ROBINSON STEERING MEANS FpR VEHICLES 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 5, 1944 FIG-4 FIG-G FIG-5 INVENTOR.

BY WMflI/MMM March 25, 1952 M. B. ROBINSON 2,590,574

STEERING MEANS F OR VEHICLES Filed 001;. 5, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 EMF FIG-8 IN VENTOR.

Mareh'25,"1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1944 aha IN V ENTOR.

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 E Q n INVENTOR. fl lm/ifiwm M. B. ROBINSON STEERING MEANS FOR VEHICLES mom mom

' March 25, 1952 Filed Oct. 5, 1944 won oon March 25, 1952 M. B. ROBINSON 2,590,574

STEERING MEANS FOR VEHICLES Filed 001:. 5, 1944 8'Sheets-Sheet 8 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Mar. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention is for radiant energy or energy controlled means which may embrace radiant energy, light waves, sound waves, heat waves, magnetic forces, barometric pressure or any equivalent thereof for actuating suitable means for steering a vehicle to its destination and is applicable to Vehicles which may vary widely in type and form and which may embrace motor or rocket propelled aircraft, motor or rocket propelled surface or underwater craft, motor or rocket propelled land vehicles, rocket propelled missile or missiles which are projected and drop from an, elevation or which are dropped from aircraft toward an objective and this invention as a part thereof has been disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 546,275, filed July 24, 1944, which has become abandoned; and this application is also related to the disclosures of the following other applications Serial No. 340,629 filed June 15, 1940, which has become abandoned, Serial No. 418,497 filed November 10, 1941, which has become Patent No. 2,520,433, Serial No. 486,-

mounted or carried elsewhere and the oscillations transmitted thereto by manually controlled means or whether or not the oscillations or vibrations are created by the target.

The invention also embodies vehicle steering means which includes in combination a time controlled mechanism for initially actuating the steering to direct the vehicle to a predetermined level, a gyroscopically controlled means for maintaining the vehicle at said predetermined level and radio controlled means operative by oscillations received thereby for directing the vehicle to an objective and which radio means when active functions to render the gyroscope level maintainin means ineffective so that the steering of the vehicle is then solely under the radio controlled means.

The invention also contemplates a vehicle steering means which includes in combination a time controlled mechanism for initially actuating the steering to direct the vehicle to a predetermined level, a gyroscopically controlled means for maintaining the vehicle at said predetermined level, a second gyroscopically controlled means for maintaining the vehicle in a predetermined direction and a second time controlled means for actuating the steering means to turn the vehicle in a predetermined direction.

The invention also contemplates a vehicle directing means including a rudder and eleva-v tor for respectively turning a vehicle laterally by movement of the rudder alone or directing said vehicle vertically to ascend or descend by movement of the elevator alone or for directing said vehicle both laterally and vertically by simultaneous movements of the rudder and elevator, which directing means utilizes a pair of radio receivin sets mounted on the vehicle for respectively actuating the rudder and elevator and which receiving sets are each of the discriminating circuit type having respectively a pair of parabolic antennas with a shielding means separating each antenna, spaced apart and facing outwardly and so located with reference to each other and the vehicle as to cause each circuit to respond to deviations from a predetermined course to actuate the rudder and elevator so as to correct the deviation.

The invention also contemplates a vehicle directing means, including a rudder and elevator for respectively turning a vehicle laterally or vertically or at angles to both laterally and vertically by movements of rudder and elevator, which directing means utilizes a pair 'of radio receiving sets mounted on the vehicle for respectively actuating the rudder and elevator and which receiving sets are each of the discriminating circuit type havin respectively a pair of parabolic antennas spaced apart and facing outwardly and so located with reference to each other and the vehicle as to cause each circuit to respond to waves of varying strength caused by the facing position of the antennas to the incoming oscillations or vibrations.

As a further feature, the invention resides in a vehicle having rocket propulsion means and radio controlled steering devices with means for rendering the radio control efiective to control the rocket propulsion means either before, after or simultaneously with the actuation of the steering devices by the radio control means.

The invention also contemplates broadly any type rocket motor, rocket charge or jet propulsion for driving a vehicle in combination with any type of automatic control means for steering said vehicle.

With the above enumerated and other objects in view, the invention is set forth in greater detail in the following specifications, particularly pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a vehicle in the form of a dirigible glider or aircraft.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of the nose of the aircraft illustrating the arrangement of the sending and receiving antennas.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the rudder and elevator control mechanism showing the electrical wiring and the radio actuated relay switches in combination with the time and gyroscopically controlled level seeking and maintaining means for actuating the rudder and elevator to steer the craft.

Fig. 4 is a detail diagrammatic perspective view of the gyroscope for maintaining the level of the craft.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective -view illustrating in more detail the gearing and clutch means controlling drum shafts.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the rudder and elevator actuated control means for rocket propulsion motor.

Fig; '7 is a diagrammatic view of the reversible motor switch.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the high frequency discriminating circuit of the radio receivers employed for actuating the control mechanism for steering the craft, certain of the elements being in exaggerated spread out relations, as the transformers, and the tubes are split so that one half of the tube is shown at the top and the other half is shown at the bottom of the cir- Fig. 9 a diagrammatic view of the ultra high frequency radio transmitter employed in connection with the ultra high discriminating circuit of the radio receivers.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a low frequency discriminating circuit for the radio receivers which may be employed for actuatin the steering means, certain of the elements being in exaggerated spread out relations, as the transformers, and the tubes are split so that one-half of the tube is shown at the top and the other half is shown at the bottom of the circuit.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a low frequency transmitter for use with the low frequency receiver.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the back of the clock dial and mechanism for controlling the the receiving antennas, all being in shadow but the one facing the direction of the object reflecting the wave.

Referring to the drawings by characters of refer-ence A designates generally a vehicle which as previously stated may be of any desired form and the term vehicle is employed broadly to cover any type of carrier such as for instance for transporting a destructive charge which is adapted for demolishing, damaging, or destroying a target whether said target be an objective on land, in the air or on the surface of or under the water. It will therefore be understood that when the term vehicle is used it may cover any one of a number of various types such as a motor propelled or rocket propelled aircraft or motor propelled or rocket propelled surface or submersible craft or a motor propelled or rocket propelled land craft or a missile which is projected by an explosive or gaseous propelling charge in the general direction of the target or which may be dropped from an elevation toward the target.

The projectile or vehicle A is shown in the form of a rocket plane or glider craft having a hollow body or fuselage and wings together with a tail structure of any desired form which essentially includes a vertically disposed laterally swingable rudder It and horizontally disposed vertically swingable elevator I l, which rudder and elevator are normally maintained in a straight away position to guide the vehicle in the direction of its longitudinal axis by means of springs l2 and I3 which tension the same against movement from said normal position. These springs are only diagrammatically illustrated and may be either of the flat spiral type, or the fiat helical type or any known type of spring. The springs l2 and I3, shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, are shown as the fiat helical type fastened in any desirable manner at one end of the stationary part of the body A that forms part of the rudders and elevators and to which the rudders and elevators are hinged. The opposite end of the springs I2 and 13 are shown overlapping the movable part of the rudder and elevators. There is a duplicate of spring E2 on the opppsite side of the rudder as shown in Fig. 1, and a duplicate of spring 53 on the opposite side of the elevator as shown in Fig. 3. As the elevators or rudder move in either direction a tension is placed on one of the springs.

The mechanism for imparting movement to the rudder l0 and to the elevator H consists of a reversible electric motor B, the shaft M of which has keyed thereto a helical tooth drive gear 55 which meshes with an intermediate helical tooth pinion l7 fixedly keyed to the drum shaft H9. The pinion H has constant meshing engagement with the drum pinion l6 which is loosely mounted on the drum shaft I8. The drum shaft l8 which controls the movement of the rudder lil, has secured to the opposite ends thereof winding drums 2t and 2i while the drum shaft 19 which controls the movement of the elevator I I, has loosely mounted to its opposite ends winding drums 22 and 23. A flexible element 24 such as a cable is secured at 25 to one side of the rudder II! and leads throughsuitable guide means and is anchored to and wound upon the drum 20, while a cable 26 is secured at 21 to the opposite side of the rudder I2 and leads through suitable guide means and is anchored to and wound upon the drum 2 I, the winding of the cable 24 upon its drum 20 being in a direction opposite to the direction which the element 26 is wound upon its drum 2!. By this arrangement it will be apparent that rotation of the drum shaft I8 in one direction, for instance in a counter-clockwise direction, will wind the cable 24 upon its drum 253 while unwinding the cable 26 from its drum 2!, thereby swinging the rudder ill to the right. Conversely, when the drum shaft 18 is rotated in the opposite or clockwise direction, the cable 26 will be wound upon its aacasm 2| and the cable will be unwound from its drum to swing the rudder iii to the left.

The elevator i i is similarly controlled by cables '30 secured at 3! to the upper side of the elevator l I and which cables lead therefrom through suitable-guide means and are anchored to and wound upon the drum 22 in one direction, with cables 32 secured at 33 to the underside of the elevator H and leading therefrom through suitable guides and anchored to and wound upon the drum 23 in an opposite direction to the windings of the cable 36 upon their drum 22.

Rotation is imparted to the drum shafts I8 and the drums 22 and 23 when the motor B is running, by connecting said shaft and drums with their respective pinions it; and I I through the 'medium of clutch means, while as shown consists of clutch teeth 35, 35 and 36A formed on the collars 31, 3B and 38A of the pinions i5 and drums 22 and 23 and clutch teeth 39, 40 and 40A formed on clutch sleeves Al, 42 and 42A splined on the drum shafts i3 and i9 respectively. Solenoids 45, 46 and itA are operatively connected with the clutch sleeves M, 42 and 42A for shifting said sleeves to active and inactive positions to couple and uncouple the drum shafts l8 and the drums 22 and 23 with the pinions i6 and H.

The reversible electric motor B includes separate solenoid windings so and 5! which when selectively energized reverse the polarity of the motor to rotate the motor shaft I d in opposite directions, for example, as shown, when the winding 50 is energized the motor shaft turns in a counter-clockwise direction and when the winding 5! is energized the shaft it turns in a clockwise direction. The winding 5c is included in an electric circuit comprising the feed conductor wire 53 leading from one end of the winding 5!] to the negative side of a storage battery 54 and a return conductor wire 55 leads from the other end of the Winding 5! to the contact terminal 56 of a switch 5? being a double throw switch and arm 58 adapted when the switch 51 is closed to engage the terminal 58. The switch arm 53 is connected by a circuit wire 59 with the positive side of the battery 5d. The switch arm 53 is coupled to and is movable together with a second switch arm 5!) connected to the wire 59 and which switch arm 66 is adapted when the switch is closed to engage with a contact terminal 6! cornected by a wire 62 with on end or" the winding 53 of the solenoid 45 which shifts the clutch sleeve 4! to active position when energized. A

branch wire (it extends from the other end of the solenoid winding 63 and connects with the feed wire 53 leading to the battery 54. It thus follows that when the switch 5! is closed, thereby energizing the windings 5i! of the-motor to turn the same in a counter-clockwise direction, the pinion is will be turned in a counter-clockwise direction. At the same time, the closing of the switch 51 energizes the winding of the solenoid 45 which shifts the clutch sleeve ii into engagement with the clutch collar 3'! of the inion iii to turn the drum shaft 13 therewith in a counter-clockwise direction thus winding the cable 24 on the drum 20 and unwinding the cable 26 from the drum 2! to turn the rudder i ll to the right.

It is apparent that energizing of the winding 5| of the motor B will turn the motor shaft M in a clockwise direction resulting in the turning of the pinion It in a clockwise direction to turn.

the rudder 0 to the left with the solenoid winding 63 simultaneously energized to cause the solenoid 45300 move the clutch sleeve 4| into engagement with the collar 31. In order toaccomplish this movement of the rudder, two more contact terminals are added to switch 51. The switch is shown in a second position for simplicity in showing the swinging of the switch arms 58 and 6D to either set of contact terminals 56 and 6! on the left hand side of the switch or contact terminal 14 and 7! on the right hand side, shown in second position. The switch arms 58 and 6!! are attached to a pivot for swinging and connected on the wire 59 which leads to the positive side of the battery 54. The switch 57 is provided with a contact terminal I i with which the switch arm 53 is adapted to contact and from which terminal M a wire 15 leads to one side of the winding 5| of the motor B, the other side of which winding is connected by a wire 16 with the feed wire 53 leading to the negative side of the bat 'tery 54. The switch 5! is provided with a contact terminal 7? adapted to be engaged by the switch arm 59 and a wire 18 leads therefrom to the wire 6d connected to the windings 63 of-the solenoid 45 so as to Close the circuit to said solenoid d5 coincident with the closing of the circuit through the motor winding 5!. It is thus apparent that selective closing of the switch 51 will function to turn the rudder [0 respectively to the right and to the left to guide or steer the craft A to the right or left. Switch 51 is controlled by radiant energy or by a duplicate of the gyroscopic action to be explained later.

The motor B and solenoid 46 and 46A are also included in circuits for effecting the selective driving of the drums 22 and 23 in opposite direction for the purpose of swinging the elevator ll upwardly to cause upward steering of the craft for and for swinging the elevator downwardly to steer the craft downward and this is controlled by three factors, namely bygyroscopic actiomby a time controlled mechanism and by radiant energy.

The gyroscopic action is accomplished by means of a gyroscope C which has secured thereto a pair of contact terminals and iii located respectively forwardly and rearwardly with reference to the longitudinal axis of the craft A and which contact terminals are maintained in a constant horizontal position by the gyroscopic action of the gyroscope C irrespective of the fore and aft inclination of the craft. The contact terminals 8t and 8E are connected by a wire 82 to the return wire 59 leading to the battery 54.

The time control mechanism consists of a clock D fixed to the fuselage or body of the craft A and to which is secured pairs of contact elements 83 and 93:3 and 85 and 86, the former pair 83 and 34 being designed to be'engaged by the contact terminal 80 and the latter pair 85 and 86 being designed to be engaged by the contact terminal Si. A circuit wire 81 leads from one contact element 8% to the wire 55 connected with the motor winding 5!), while a circuitwire 88 and I35 leads from the contact 83 to one end of the winding 89A of the solenoid 46A. The other side of solenoid WA winding and the motor winding 50 connect with feed conductor wire 53v leading to the negative side of the battery. By this arrangement if the craft A deviates from a normal horizontal path of movement downwardly, the contact elements 83 and 84 will engage the gyroscopically controlled cont-act terminal 80 to complate the circuits to the winding 58 of the motor B and the winding 89A of the solenoid 46A to rotate the motor shaft 14 in a counter-clockwise direction and to couple the drum 22 with the drum shaft Hi to rotate the drum 22 in a clockwise direction for winding the upper cable 30 upon the drum 22 and for unwinding the lower cables 32 from the drum 23 to swing the elevator H upwardly to correct the elevation and thereby maintain the craft A in substantially the selected level to which it was initially sent. A spring 22A and 23A is fastened on the drums 22 and 23 and fastened to the body to rewind the cables on the returning of th elevator to normal position.

A circuit wire 82 leads from terminal 8| on the gyroscope to the positive terminal of the battery, a circuit wire 9i leads from the contact element 86 to one side of the motor winding while a circuit wire 92 leads from the contact element 85 to the wire II9 which in turn leads to the winding 89 of the solenoid 46 and wire 99 connected to the opposite side of the winding 89 and connects to wire I6, which connects to the feed conductor wire 53 to the negative side of the battery. By this arrangement, if the craft A deviates upwardly from the selected horizontal path of movement, the contact elements 85 and 86 will move into engagement with the gyroscopically controlled contact terminal BI to close the circuits to the motor winding 5! and the solenoid winding 89 to rotate the motor B in a clockwise direction and to couple the drum 23 with the drum shaft- I9 and pinion I! to rotate the drum 23 in a counter-clockwise direction so as to wind the lower cables 32 upon the lower drum 23 and unwind the upper cables from the upper drum 22, thereby swinging the elevator II downwardly to correct the elevation and to return the craft A to substantially the selected level.

The pairs of contact elements 89 and 84 and 85 and 8B are securedto diametrically opposite sides of the dial I08 of the clock Dwith the pair of contact elements 83 and 94 being disposed toward the forward end of the craft A with reference to the axis of the dial, which axis extends transversely of the craft and horizontally thereof. The other pair of contact elements 85 and 86 are disposed toward the rear end of the craft with reference to the dial axis NH. The clock is provided with a fixed pointer I 92 and the dial is inscribed with a central zero graduation Hi3 and numbered graduations I94 and I95 which respectively increase counter-clockwise 11nd clockwise to gauge the setting of the dial N29 to respectively cause the craft A to ascend or to descend for a predetermined period of time which, in accordance with the speed of the craft will determine the desired selected level to which it will ascend or descend. By turning the dial counter-clockwise direction to the selected graduation I95, it will be apparent that the contact elements 83 and 84 will engage with the contact terminal 89 thus closing the circuits to the motor winding 58 and the solenoid winding 89A to swing the elevator II upwardly for steering the craft upwardly and for maintaining the same on an upward course until the elapsed time, controlled by the clock D, returns the dial I99 to a position where the contact elements 85 and 36 engage the contact terminal M for a suificient lentgh of time to close the circuits to the motor winding 5| and to the solenoid winding 89 to swing the elevator I I downwardly until the craft is on the selected level or the normal straight away position with reference to the longitudinal axis and the craft will be maintained on the horizontal path at the selected level by the gyroscope.

If the craft A is to be launched from an elevato the solenoids 89 and 89A for coupling the" tion such as from a plane for descent to a lower level, the .dial I99 is turned in a clockwise direction until the selected graduation I04 is in registry with the pointer I92 to engage the contacts 85 and 96 with the contact 8| thus closing-the circuits to windings 5| and 89 to swing the elevator Ii downwardly to steer the craft downward to the selected level determined by the elapsed time. At this time the circuits to the windings 5i and 89 are broken and the clock dial moves counter-clockwise to close the circuits to the windings 59 and 89A until the elevator is moved to its normal straight away position.

The circuits leading to windings 50 and 5| which control the direction of rotation of the shaft I4 of the motor B and the circuits leading drums 22 and 23 to the drum shaft I9 which swings the elevator II are adapted to be controlled by switch I99. The switch I09 includes three coupled switch arms H2, H3, and H4, which are adapted to be simultaneously swung into and out Of engagement with three contact elements H5, IE5 and Ill. A circuit wire IIB connected with said switch arms leads therefrom to and is connected with the return wire 59 to the battery 5%. The contact element H5 is connected by a wire II9 which leads to the winding 89 of the solenoid 46, the winding 89 connects to 'wire 99 and to wire 79 and 53 to the negative terminal of the battery. A wire I20 leads from the contact lie to the contact 86 thence by wire 9| to motor winding 5i and returning to the negative terminal of the battery on wire I6 and 53. The remaining central contact element II! of switch I99 is connected by a wire I2I to the winding of the solenoid 122 from which a wire I23 leads to the feed wire 53 of the battery 54. The core of the solenoid I22 carries an interceptor member I24 of insulation material which member is normally retracted when the solenoid I 22 is .de-energized but which is adapted when said solenoid is energized, to project to a position between the contact terminal 80 and the contacts 83 and 84 to prevent closing of the circuit by engagement of said contact elements 83 and 84 with the contact terminal 80, thus taking the control of the circuits from the gyroscope C and placing the same solely under the control or" a switch E99 which is a double throw switch.

Three more contact terminals I24, I29 and I39 are added to switch I09, the switch is shown in a second position for simplicity, in showing the swinging of the switch arms H2, H3 and I I4 to either set of contact terminals II5,' H8 and II? on the left hand side of the switch or contact terminals I28, I29 and I39 on the right hand side, shown in second position. The switch arms H2, II3 and H4 are adapted to be simultaneously swung into and out of engagement with three contact elements I28, I29 and I99. The wire H8 is connected with the switch arms II2, I13 and H4, which wire II8 leads to return wire 59 thence to the battery 54. The contact I 28 of switch IE9 is connected by wire I32 to one end of winding of solenoid I33, the other end of the winding of which solenoid is connected with the wire I23 to battery feed wire 53, of the negative terminal of the battery adapted when the switch arm II2 makes con tact with contact terminal I28 to connect the positive terminal of the battery on wire 59 and energizing solenoid I33. The contact element I29 is connected by wire I94 to wire 55 which leads to the motor solenoid winding 50 and respec ra turns to the negative terminal of the battery on' wire 53. The contact element I33 is connected by a wire I35 which leads to the windings 89A of solenoid 46A, the winding 89A connects to wire 53 and to the negative terminal of the battery. The core of the solenoid I33 carries an interceptor member I 36 of insulation material which is normally retracted when said solenoid I33 is ole-energized but which is adapted when said solenoid is energized to project to a position between the contact (H and the contacts 85 and 86 to prevent closing of the circuits, thus taking control thereof from the gyroscope C and placing them solely under the control of the switch I69.

In order to provide means for effecting the opening and closing of the various switches 51 and IE9. to control the rudder and elevator iii and II so as to direct or steer the craft or vehicle A toward a destination or target, a pair of radio receiving sets E and F are provided, the set E being adapted for actuating the switch 51 and the latter set for actuating the switch I99.

While the above means is applied to an aircraft it is to be understood that when applied to other types of vehicles various other types of gearing now in use may be employed to control the directing means.

The radio receiving set E has connected therewith two parabolic receiving antennas I48 and MI located respectively on the right and left sides of the nose of the craft A diametrically opposite each other and connected with a wiring and tube arrangement which includes a pair of solenoid coils I42 and I43 for respectively actua ing the switch 51 in the manner hereafter set forth.

The discriminating means described and shown in this application is only diagrammatic and not limited to these means.

If both antennas receive the same amplitude or signal strength the rudder It will be held by its spring tension in a straight away position with reference to the longitudinal axis of the craft A. However if the craft deviates to the right or left from the line of direction of the objective or destination, either one or the other of the antennas I40 and MI will receive stronger signal and the one in shadow of the weaker signal. For example, if the craft A deviates to the right of its predetermined .line toward the objective, and antennas I40 on the right side of the nose will be in shadow and the antenna I4I on the left side of the nose will receive the stronger signal thereby energizing the relay I43 more than the relay I42, which swings the switch arms 58 and 83 to contact terminal 14 and 11 thus swinging the rudder II] to the left to turn the craft to the left until its longitudinal axis corresponds to the proper course when both antennas will then be receiving signals of equal strength. So long as the signals received are of equal strength or intensity the craft will be steered directly toward its objective or destination and the switches will remain in neutral position.

As shown by way of example, the receiving set embodies two tuned frequency circuits I43 and I41 for the elimination of all frequencies but the one in which it is tuned, which are grounded by wires I48 and I49 leading to a common ground wire I59, the frequencies being passed from said tuned circuits through induction coils to the tuned circuits II and I52 which are also grounded to the common ground wire I53) by the wires I53 and IE4. The tuned circuits I5I and I52 are respectively connected to the grids I55 and I53 of a double triode tube I51 which consti tutes a radio frequency amplifier and in which the cathodes I58 and '58 are connected by wires I30 and I6 I, including resistors I62 and 553 and connected with the common ground wire ltd. The tube 551 also includes the plates I64 and IE5 and the heaters tee and IE1, the plates being respectively connected by wires IE8 and I53 to the induction coils of interstage transformers I19 and Ill. There is a wire IBSA connecting the primary windings, to which wire ItEA are connected two wires 239 and 'ZIB leading to the positive terminal of the battery 212. The tuned secondary output circuits I12 and I13 are respectively connected by the wires I14 and IE5 to the plates 16 and I11 of a double diode detector tube I13. Wires I13 and I having resistors ittlA and I83A interposed therein, lead from the tuned circuits I12 and I13 to and connect respectively with the wires I8I and I82 which lead from the cathodes I33 and I84 of of the tube I13, which'wires I8I .and I82 also lead to the common ground wire I56. B-y-pass condensers I85 and I85 are interposed in the wires I19 and E80. Wires I81 and IE8 are respectivelyconnected with the wires I19 and I80 between their resistors MESA and I35A and the tuned circuits H2 and I13 and said wires I31 I83 respectively lead to and are connected with the wires I89 and I93 of the grids IQI and Iii-2 of a double triode frequency tube shown at I es, the wires I81 and I38 having interposed therein the condensers I34 and 525. The wires H33 and I99 are connected to ground wire I55 through resistors I38 and I91 while the cathodes I33 and I33 are connected by the wires 233 and ZilI to the common ground wire I59 and have interposed therein resistors 282 and 233. The plates 2534 and 235 of the tube I93 are respectively connected by circuit wire 2% and 201 to the relays I42 and I43 of the switch 51 and a wire 2G8 connects said relay coils. The wire 238 has connected therewith a conductor ZII leading to t-e positive side of a 3 battery 2I2, the negative side of which E battery is grounded.

The heaters H3 and 2M of the tube H8 and the heaters 2I5 and 2H3 of the tube I93 as well as the heaters I33 and I 51 of the tubes I51 are all connected in series by the circuit wires 2H and BIB to the opposite poles of the main battery 54. In order to render all circuits respectively effective or inefiective, a main switch 2 I9 is interposed in the circuit wire 211 and said main switch is held open until the craft is ready to be launched.

The circuit and tube arrangement of the receiver E which controls the opening and closing of the switch IE9 is identical with the receiver E and said receiver F has two parabolic receiving antennas 225 and 228 which are located on the nose of the craft A above and below the longitudinal axis thereof, the upper antennas 225 controlling the actuation of arelay coil ZZI-Whic'h opens and closes the switch I58 and the lower antenna 228 controlling the actuationof a relay coil 22% which opens and closes the switch me. The swinging of the switch arms i I2, I I3 and I14 depends on which of the coils 221 or 225 is energized. I v p The high frequency transmitter which is employed in connection with thereceivers E and r F to control the steering means on the vehicle or craft A is designated generally by the reference character G and is here shown as mounted on the vehicle or craft for generating and transmitting oscillations which are projected forwardly from the nose of the craft in a conical beam to be reflected by an objective so that the reflected oscillations are picked up by the antennas 140, 141, 225 and 226 of the receivers E and F to guide and direct the vehicle or craft A to an objective which comes within range of the beam. The invention however is not necessarily limited to the amount of the transmitter G on the vehicle as it is understood that one or more of the transmitters may be located or mounted elsewhere with reference to an objective or destination for beaming the oscillations in such a manner as to guide or steer the vehicle.

, The wiring and tube arrangement of the transmitter G is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9 and is one of several types which may be employed and the output is a wave having steep sides with a frequency of several megacycles. The transmitter G as shown includes a crystal or oscillating generator 250 from which a wire 251 leads to a tuned circuit 252 and therefrom to the grid of an oscillator tube 253 while another wire 254 leads from crystal 250 to the tuned circuit 252 and thence to a ground 255. The cathode wire 256 of the tube 253 is also connected through a resistor 251 with ground 255. The plate of the oscillator tube 253 is connected to the tuned circuit 258 of a transformer 259 from one coil of which a wire 260 leads to the 3" battery 261 and is grounded at 255. A wire 262 connects one end of other coil of the transformer 259 to the grid of a modulator tube 263 while the other end of said coil leads by wire to ground at 255. The screen of the modulator tube 263 is connected through a resistor 264 and through radio frequency choke 235 and the 3" battery 261 with the ground 255, said choke serving to prevent waste of radio frequency power in the battery or other parts of the circuit. The cathode wire 266 of tube 263 is connected through a resistor to the ground 255 while the plate wire 261 is connected to the B battery 261 through the choke 265 and thence to ground 255. The plate wire 261 is attached to wire 211 and connected through a wire 268 to the grid of a transmitter tube 239 said wire 268 having interposed therein two condensers and being grounded at 210 through a resistor. The plate wire 211 of the transmitter tube 269 is connected through a radio frequency choke 212 to the ground 255 after also passing through the choke 255 and B battery 261. The cathode wire 213 of tube 269 is also grounded to ground 255. The plate wire 211 and the cathode wire 213 are connected respectively to wires 214 and 215 with a tuned circuit 216 and to the linked coupling transformers 211 and thence by a wire 218 to a parabolic transmitter 219 for directing a cone-shaped beam of high frequency oscillation. The plates of all tubes are connected to the 3" battery 261 for plate voltage. The heaters 280, 281 and 282 of the tubes 253, 263 and 269 respectively are connected in series to an "A" battery which if the receiver G is mounted on the vehicle A may be the same battery 54 which furnishes the source for all of the circuits previously described.

If desired low frequency discriminating circuit receivers of the type shown in Fig. 10 and designated generally by the reference character H may be substituted for the high frequency discriminating circuit receivers E and F of the type shown in Fig. 8. In this event, a low frequency transmitter of the type shown in Fig. 11 would be used in place of the high frequency transmitter shown in Fig. 9. These low frequency circuits if desired may be used on torpedoes in conjunction with a ballast air or gas tank equipped with a valve for changing the amount of air or gas to lift or lower the torpedo as described in Serial No. 340,629 filed June 15, 1940.

This discriminating circuit as shown in Fig. 10, is such that the cancellation takes place as that described in Fig. 8. They are placed in like manner as that shown in Fig. 8 so that the switch arms 30 and 58 are placed between the two magnets of the solenoids.

If the signals received and amplified in both halves of the circuit are equal or zero the core of the solenoids remain neutral. Any inequality of signal will upset the balance in the solenoids 336 and 331, thereby favoring the stronger solenoids and causing contact to be made by movement of the switch arms 58 and 60.

The low frequency receiver shown in Fig. 10, may be substituted for the receivers E and F and said receiver embodying a double tube arrangement on tube 321, one side of the circuit being described, as the other side is a duplicate. Each of said sides has a parabolic receiving crystal microphone or antenna 301 which receives the oscillations and transmits them through wire 302 to the induction coils 303 connected in series and grounded at 304. The tuned circuit 305 set to the frequency of the transmitter, causes the oscillation to be carried through a wire 306 to grids of radio frequency amplifier tubes 301. A wire 308 grounds the tuned circuits through cathode wires 309 of tube 301 which cathode wires are grounded by ground 304. The screens of tubes 301 are connected by wire 310 through resistors to wire 314 to the positive side of the B battery 312 and grounded at 304 by connection with a common ground wire 313 the plates of tube 301 being connected to the positive side of the B battery 312 by wires 314, to supply the plate voltage and grounded at 304. The tuned circuits 315 transmit oscillations to the tuned circuits 316, said oscillations being then transmitted by wire 311 to the plates of rectifier diode tubes 318, where it is converted to direct current. Wires 319 lead from the tuned circuits 316 to wire 320 attached to common ground wire 313 for grounding said tuned circuits 316. The cathode wires 312 of the tubes 318 containing a resistor, are connected with by-pass condensors 322 which are grounded by wires 320 leading to common ground wire 313. Wires 324 lead from the cathode wires 321 of tubes 318 respectively to the upper and lower grids 325 and 326 of a double triode audio frequency amplifier tube 321. The upper and lower cathodes 328 and 329 containing resistors are connected to the common ground wire 313 by wires 330 and 331. The upper and lower plates 332 and 333 of the double triode tube 321 are connected respectively by wires 334 and 335 to the coils 336 and 331 of relays which actuate either of the switches 51'and 109 which control the rudder 10 and elevator 11. Wires 338 and 339 are respectively connected with and lead from the wires 334 and 335 to and are connected with the wires 330 and 331 and grounded at 304 by wires 320 and 313, said wires 338 and 339 have arranged therein by-pass condensors 340 and 341 so that the alternating current is completely eliminated. The wires 342 and 343 lead from the coils 336 and 331 and attach to wires 344 and 345 to the tuned circuits 315 and the B battery 312 and grounded at 3%. The heaters 346, 34'! and 3 38 of the tubes Sill, 3l8 and 321 are connected in parallel to the main A battery 54. A photo-electric cell or microphone may be placed at 3591 in the above described circuit and connected with wires to the induction coil 383 as is normally done in connecting a photo-electric cell or microphone to an amplifying circuit.

The low frequency transmitter shown in Fig. 11, and designated generally by the reference character K, which is used in connection with the low frequency receiver H, and J operates on a low frequency of approximately 50 kilocycles if antennas are used or the frequency of sound so that said transmitter is capable of transmitting oscillations through the water for reflection back from a metal object to the tuned frequency receivers H. Thisadapts said transmitter K and receivers H for use on a torpedo together with the gyroscopically controlled means C for the rudder i and elevator ii and in conjunction with the time controlled mechanism D if desired. The torpedo so equipped and controlled could be obviously either propelled by the usual motor or a rocket driven motor.

The low frequency transmitter K. consists of a tuned circuit 350 connected by wire 3% through a condensor 352 with the plate of an oscillating tube 353. Said tuned circuit being connected by a second wire 354 through a condensor 355 with the grid of said tube 353. A branch wire 356 having a resistor therein leads from wire 35% to the cathode of tube 353 and a wire 35? leads from the cathode wire to a common ground wire 358 thereby providing a tuned plate oscillator. The plate of tube 353 is connected by a wire 35% through a coil 361i and through a condenser 33! to the grid of a modulator tube 352 a wire 363 being connected to wire 359 between the coil 3% and condenser 35! and leading therefrom to the positive side of a B battery 3%, the negative side of which is connected to the common ground wire 358 to provide plate voltage to the tube 353 and grid voltage to tube 362. A coupling resister 355 is interposed in a wire 366 which is connected its opposite ends to the common ground wire 358 and the wire 359 between the condensor 3t! and the tube 362. The cathode wire 35'! of the modulating tube 352 containing a resistor leads from the cathode through a by-pass condenser 358 and is connected with the common ground wire 358. The plate of the modulator tube 362 is connected by a wire 369 to one coil of an interstage transformer 310 thence by a wire 3H to the positive side of "B battery 364 and ground, while the screen of said tube 362 is connected by a wire 3'52 to the wire 369 for screen voltage. One end of the other coil of the transformer 310 is connected by a wire 3'13 to the grid of a transmitter tube 314 while the other end of said coil is connected by a wire 375 to the cathode wire 316 of tube 314 which wire 3% has a resistor therein and leads to and is connected with the common ground wire 353. The plate of tube 374 is connected by a wire 3?! to a tuned circuit 318 connected by a wire 319 to the positive side of the "B" battery 3% and grounded. The screen of the tube 31a is connected through a wire 388, having a resistor therein, to the wire 319 and to the B battery 36d and to ground. A parabolic sending antenna 38! or crystal microphone is connected by a wire 382 to series induction coil 383 which in tiu'n is connected by a wire 38d to the common ground wire 353. The heaters 385,

385 and 381 of the tubes 353, 362, and 374 re-' spectively are connected in series with the A battery 54. The radio sets shown and described are not limited to parabolic antennas but cover any type within the broad scope of the invention and it is to be understood that the cancelling means described and shown in all receivers may cover broadly any type of pick-up means as mentioned in the first paragraph of column 1 instead of the antennas, which will distinguish between differing strength of signals received by two or more means for actuating the deflecting means or for use with an oscilloscope as will be described. The invention also covers broadly any transmitting means to be used onthe' transmit- It is also obvious that either of the trans-'- mitters shown, the higher or lower frequency, when used in pairs and placed at two positions outside the vehicle as shown in Fig. l l for maintaining the vehicle in a predetermined course. may each transmit a radio wave at the same time; and when the two antennas receive the two waves with equal strength or intensity as a result of the facing position of the antenna to the two incoming waves, the vehicle will be on a predetermined course and the circuit arrangementwill cancel out the two signals. On the other hand, if the vehicle deviates from the predetermined course, one of the parabolicantennas will receive the signals more strongly while the other will be in relative shadow, and the two potentials appearing in the circuits will no longer be equal and opposite as they appear on the relay coil. The relay switch 5? will then be onerated one way or the other in accordance with which received signal predominates. When more than two parabolic antennas are used, the same function as above described will occur.

While the vehicle or craft A may be propelled by any desired means within the broad scope of the invention, the same is disclosed herein being equipped with any suitable type of rocket motor shown diagrammatically and designated generally by the reference character M.

In its application to a water craft, land vehicle, glider airplane or equivalent aircraft, the dial H38 of the clock D of the vehicle A is set" with reference to the fixed pointer iii? to hold the elevator II at an agle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle which will steer the same upwardly or downwardly for a predetermined length of time when the elevator ii will be re turned to a normal position straight away with the longitudinal axis. The gyroscope C will then function to maintain the vehicle at the level attained by making and breaking the circuits which actuate the electric motor B as heretofore described.

If an object comes within the range of the conical beam M3, Fig. 15, projected by the para bolic antenna 279 or 38! of thetransmitter carried by the vehicle or craft A, the oscillations will be intercepted thereby and reflected back, shown at ti l to the receivers E and H and J, as the case may be depending upon whether or not the high or low frequency equipment is being employed. In either event, if the axis of the vehicle or craft A is in alignment with a course directed toward the objective, the discriminating circuits of said receivers will remain neutral so long as the craft A is on the course. If, however, either the objective onthe craft move relatively so that the craft deviates from said course, one or the other of the receiving antennas of each receiving set will receive the stronger oscillations to actuate the relay switches to efiect movement of the rudder and or elevators to correct the deviation so that the craft will eventually reach the objective. Oscillations are shown at 4 i 5, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. The transmitted oscillations may be sent to the object from a position outside the vehicle and the oscillations reflected from the object to the antennas carried by the vehicle for directing the vehicle to the object in a manner as previously described. Where the transmitter is carried by the vehicle it may be necessary to shield the transmitter from the receiver, or op erating the transmitter at slightly different in tervals to the receiver, that is the transmitter has a non-conducting period in which the re ceiver operates and the receiver has a IlOIl-CGI1- ducting period while the transmitter operates. The time determined between these intervals would depend on the time between travel'of the oscillations to the object, and be reflected and returned to the receivers. The above intervals may be accomplished by a revolving disc placed on one of the cathode wires connected in the transmitter and receiver to break and make contact, thereby causing a non-operative interval. Other well known methods may be used.

If the craft A is in the nature of a bomb which is dropped or projected along an initial trajectory course toward an objective, the rocket motor or rocket propulsion means is normally inactive, as the primary motivating force will be either gravity, if dropped from an elevation, or an external projecting force if projected toward an objective. In this instance, the rocket motor or rocket propulsion means is utilized as a secondary motivating force which is only brought into play when the rudder I and elevator H are turned from their normal straight away position to impose an auxiliary supplemental propelling force or sudden spurt or kick to insure the turning of the axis of the craft A and itsmovement alon the new path or course toward the objective. This avoids any possibility of the craft A continuing by the momentum or inertia along its original course or trajectory with its axis at an angle to said course or trajectory although said axis may be pointed toward the objective.

In order to accomplish the actuation of the rocket motor or rocket propulsion means with the actuation of the steering mechanism the normally inactive rocket motor or rocket propulsion means M is arranged in an electric circuit including a spark coil N, Fig. 6 and Fig. 13, and

the battery 54 to the negative side of which the rocket motor is connected by feed .wire 400 and from which motor a circuit wire 4m leads to pairs of contact elements 402 and 493 and 404 and 405 respectively arranged with the pair 402 and 403 spaced on opposite side of the elevator II and the pair 404 and 405 spaced on opposite side of the rudder l0.

The elevator H is provided with a pair of ward or downward swinging of the elevator H.

will cause the switch arms to engage their re spective contact elements to complete the circuit for actuating the rocket motor M by a spark coil N, contained in rocket motor, a second portion P of rocket is shown in the rocket motor M containing an additional portion of rocket charge for exerting a second kick or push after the action of the first rocket. A dividing weakened section 0 is adapted to be eliminated when the second rocket is ignited.

The actuation of the rocket motor or rocket propulsion means may be arranged with any of the electrical circuits as shown in my above identified copending applications, so that the rocket motor will be actuated either before, simultaneously with or after the actuation of the steering means.

Where the craft or vehicle A is equipped only with the receiving sets for actuating the rudder l0 and elevator Ii, the same may be steered by re mote control by one or more transmitters tuned to the same frequency as the receiving sets and having parabolic transmitting antennas for sending beamed oscillations for guiding the craft to an'objective or destination, Fig. 14.

A remote control circuit may be substituted for the discriminating circuit and controlled by a multiple frequency transmitter controlled manually outside the vehicle to guide it to its destination, as described in Serial No. 541,219 filed June 20, 1944.

In order to accomplish the timing of the clock dial D, Fig. 12, two springs M6 and 4!! including retarding mechanism, such as wheels and the whole mechanism including spring and wheels are fastened separate from the dial D. A protruding part on each spring adapted in such a manner that when the dial D is turned in either direction the movable pegs 4i 9 and 42! each containing a spring in slot opening 420 and 422 catch in the protruding part of the springs 4H; and 4H and wind the springs. The peg 4H) and 42| are placed in a slot 424: and 422 in the rear of the clock face and the pegs are adapted to travel around the circular shape of the spring. The time determined for the dial D to return to its normal position and separate the contact segments fastened to the gyroscope and 83 and 84 fastened to the dial or 8| fastened to the gyroscope and 65 and fastened to the dial depend on how far the dial is turned to wind the springs MB and M7. The dial D is fastened to a shaft which extends to a clock mechanism contained in a diagram 4i8 adapted after a predetermined time to turn the dial D counter clockwise and force contact segments 80 in the gyroscope to contact 83 and 84 which will force the elevators down and land the vehicle. Spring on contact shown at 423 to allow contact elements 83, 84, 85 and 36 to change position in order to not disturb the position of the gyroscope.

The reversing switch shown in Fig. 7, when coil of motor 51 is energized pulls core 430 to the right and connects contact segments 425 and 42S, connecting wire 421 from the negative terminal of the battery with wire 428 to the rotor 43! of the motor B, wire 429 connects rotor through contact segments 426 to the motor coil 432 and to the positive terminal of the battery and this operates the motor in one direction. When the coil 50 of the motor is energized core 43l is pulled to the left connecting contact segments 433 and 434, connecting the negative terminal of the batteryby wire 435 and 429 to the rotor 43l of the 17 motor B, wire 428 and 436 connect through contact segments 434 from the rotor to the motor coil432 and to the positive terminal of the battery 54. This reverses the polarity of the motor which now operates in the reverse direction.

The gyroscope wheel 445 is forced to spin by connecting the tube 446 with the rocket motor M or a gas or air container placed in the body of the vehicle. It is shown connected to the rocket motor M at 446 to supply pressure in pockets 448 of the gyroscopic wheel. To force the gyroscope to maintain its horizontal position at all times a weight is placed at the bottom on spindle 441, or the use of a servo motor placed at a position 449.

While I have illustrated in the drawings a single gyroscope for controlling the horizontal steering means, it is to be understood that a second gyroscope may be provided, for likewise controlling the vertical steering means by adding two contact terminals secured to each side of the body to be engaged by two contact terminals secured to the second gyroscope. The action would be the same as described of contact terminals 85 and 8| contacting contact terminals 83, 84, 85 and 86. The gyroscope would be mounted to the craft horizontally.

A spark means N is contained in rocket motor M, the spark means N is connected across a secondary spark coil 453 by wires 454 and 455 of which is excited by vibrator type spark coil 456 connected to the battery 54 by wires 45'! and 458, a spring 459 is fastened at 460 to wire 451, two contact elements are placed at 46! One of the contact elements is fastened to the spring 459 and the other to vibrating spark coil 456 so that when the switches as previously described and indicated at 462 are closed the contact terminal 46l induces a vibration in the coils 453 and 456 causing a spark at N. The spark arrangement just mentioned is adapted to be automatically or manually operated and. may be used in any part of the vehicle to ignite the rocket portion manually by a switch arm 462 connecting wire 45! and 458 with the battery 54, placed on any part of the body or automatically operated by any one of the switches.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure are separately claimed in copending applications.

I claim:

1. In a means for controlling movement of a body from an initial position by radiation transmitted to said body froma remote source, directing means, means controlling movement of the body vertically and horizontally, means for operating the said control means, time mechanism for connecting the control means to the directing means and movable from an inoperative position for initially directing the body from said initial position to a second position, said time mechanism returnable to inoperative position upon said body being directed to said second position, gyroscopic means for connecting said operating means to said directing means for maintaining said body on a predetermined course, said gyroscopic means being inefiective to operate said control means upon connecting said control means by the time 18 mechanism to the directing means, said gyroscopic means effective to operate said control means upon said time mechanism returning to inoperative position, means for receiving radiation from said remote source, means, normally inoperative, for disconnecting the gyroscopic means from said control means,.and means for connecting said radiation receiving means to said control means and said directing means upon receiving radiation from said remote source, said disconnecting means being concurrently operated.

2. In a mechanism for controlling movement of a body, electrical operating means, directing means for said body, time mechanism, gyroscopic means, a circuit connecting said electrical operating means to said directing means, a normally open switch in said circuit and having a movable member for opening and closing said circuit, said movable member connectedto the time mechanism whereby said normally open switch is selectively closed during a predetermined period to thereby direct the body from a first position to a second position, said gyroscopic means controlling said normally open switch, said gyroscopic means being ineffective upon closing said switch by said time mechanism, radiation receiving means, a second circuit, a normally open second switch in said second circuit, said second switch being closed upon receiving radiation by said receiving means, said second circuit connecting the electrical operating means to the directing means and normally inoperative means for maintaining said first switch open, said normally inoperative means operated to maintain open said first switch upon closing said second switch.

3. The mechanism of claim 2, said body being rocket propelled concurrently with connecting the said electrical operating means to said directing means.

MARION B. ROBINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,121,563 Leon Dec. 15, 1914 1,370,688 Hammond Mar. 8, 1921 1,418,605 Sperry June 6, 1922 1,670,641 Sperry May 22, 1928 2,051,974 Warner Aug. 25, 1936 2,077,401 Crosby Apr. 20, 1937 2,109,475 Fanning Mar. 1, 1938 2,165,800 Koch July 11, 1939 2,176,469 Mouiex Oct. 17, 1939 2,247,294 Goble June 24, 1941 2,396,091 Bey Mar. 5, 1946 2,400,641 Hardy May 21, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 102,039 Sweden July 15, 1941 546,488 Great Britain July 19, 1942 OTHER REFERENCES Popular Science of December 1943, page 67. 

